Edson first responders will soon have access to enhanced communication capabilities which should lead to even more efficient response times and further ensure the safety of Edsonites.
At its meeting Tuesday, Oct, 1, Edson town council approved the addition of $120,000 to the 2024 Capital Budget for the implementation of the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) for Protective Services and Emergency Management.
AFRRCS, which became operational in 2016, is a two-way radio network for first responders in municipal, provincial and Indigenous agencies across the province. Experts say the system is a more up-to-date way to allow for inter-agency communication and information sharing.
Officials say agencies using AFRRCS are able to:
- Fully coordinate joint responses to emergency scenes.
- Improve and integrate radio communications among first responders from different agencies.
- Use robust, resilient public safety grade radio technology in day-to-day operations.
Officials with Transitional Solutions Inc. recommended the Town of Edson look into AFFRCS following After Actions Reviews of responses to floods and wildfires identified communication as an area for improvement.
Councillor Gean Chouinard believes this is a project that should be funded as soon as possible.
“I do see the importance of them,” says Chouinard. “And yes it is $120,000, but I would be in favour of doing it all at once because the last thing we want is if we have some form of emergency [and] we can’t get a certain individual. I do like the idea; if we have the funding, we ought to spend it now or next year.”
Mayor Kevin Zahara as well as councillors Greg Pasychny and Krystal Cacka also agreed that a full upgrade to AFFRCS should be done as soon as possible.
The motion to approve the addition of $120,000 to the 2024 Capital Budget for the implementation of the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) for Protective Services and Emergency Management was passed unanimously.
